Day 43

Day 44

They let me pitch my tent in a beautiful little pine grove on their property. We were having tea last night when I mentioned that I hadn't played a guitar since I left New York. Charlie brought over a never-been-used guitar he had sitting around, and I sung them the few songs I know, including Pancho and Lefty, which happens to be one of Charlie's favorite songs (he recorded me playing it on a little dictaphone). This morning Margaret cooked us breakfast, featuring some eggs from her very own "happy chickens" (although one of her hens has started trying to crow).

Day 44

Day 44

From left to right: Chris, Anne, Janelle, and Chris (there are many more family members who weren't in the kitchen at the time: Chris and Chris have six kids and a bunch of grandchildren). One of Chris's sons had seen me back down the road a ways and told Chris I was heading his way, so he came out as I was passing by and invited me in to have Mother's Day lunch with them. He also chased me down after I left to give me a package of home-grown beef sticks. And today's New York connection: Mom-Chris, whose maiden name is Wyckoff, is, in all likelihood, descended from a fellow Brooklynite.

Day 44

Day 44

I'm walking across America.

That's the idea, at least. I'm walking westward from New York City for nine months or so.
If everything goes according to plan, I'll be in Oregon when the clock runs out.
If nothing goes according to plan, maybe I'll end up in Peru or Mongolia or Pennsylvania.
You can read all about the details of my trip
if you're so inclined.